Sunday, 8 May 2016

Brameshvara Temple, (1171 AD), Kikkeri, Karnataka

In the state of Karnataka, there areinnumerable temples known for their antiquity, artistic sculptural work and architecture. Dravidian temple architecture style is visible in the fringe areas near the Tamil Nadu border. Hoysala type of temple architecture is found in central and north Karnataka, whereas in the coastal areas at some places, Kerala type of temple architecture is observed.

Brahmehvara (also spelt Brahmeshwara) temple, is a fine 12th century old temple located in Kikkeri, Mandya district, Karnataka. It is about10 miles from the famous town of Shravanabelagola in Hassan district.Built in 1171 AD, in Hoysala architecture style, the temple is believed to have been built by a rich woman named Bommare Nayakiti during the reign of Hoysala King Narasimha I.
It is a protected monument under the control of ASI (Archaeological
Survey of India) and is being visited by lots of
tourists.

Architecture of Brahmeshvara Temple is just impressive with innumerable decorative carved figures that reflect on the local skilled workers of by-gone era and their amazing workmanship in Hoysala style that stands today as a living monument to them. It is believed the decorative figures near the base may be older than the Hoysala time.

Rarely
seen in other temples, the striking design of this unique temple is, as
you move up from the base of the building, it becomes wide, making the
outer walls bulge out in a convex shape. This being a single shrine
construction (ekakuta),the bulging in the mid part is quite conspicuous; hence this simple temple draws the attention of numerous tourists. There are niches in the interior part - the navaranga and one of them has a four feet tall stone image of the Hindu god Shiva. The hall also exhibits the madanika figures - feminine sculptures that freeze the the body features in styled forms. The beautiful carvings are on the capitals of the pillars.

The tower or vimana is highly decorative and has a cella. The
vestibule (or ante chamber) connecting the cella to the hall has a sukhanasi - nose which is in reality, a
low protruding part of the tower over the shrine, built over the vestibule.

The large domed roof (helmet or amalaka), the kalasa over the tower and the Hoysala crest (emblem of the Hoysala warrior stabbing a lion) over the sukhanasi are typical of Hoysala temple architecture. The presence of an eaves that projects about half a meter runs all around the temple and the decorative miniature towers on pilasters below it suggest they are much older than the Hoysala period. Below the decorative towers there are large wall images of deities and their attendants. The base of the wall, which comprises five different horizontal moldings, lies below it. A row of blocks is placed below the images.

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About

I am KN.Jayaraman, Retd Geologist, author of this blog. I have a strong passion for Ancient Indian Culture, art, architecture, etc...
I started this blog with a view to covering the above areas and also odd things related to India.
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